METALWORK

The Herbert and May Shaw Bequest assembled the stunning group of English and German holloware which still forms the backbone of the historic silver collection, and includes major items such as a set of three Sugar vases designed by Francis Crump of 1765 . During the 1990s the gallery began to make major contributions to the metalware holdings by including European contemporary pieces.

CERAMICS

The ceramics collection features beautifully crafted and decorated tea and coffee services, plates, vases, jars and bowls produced in England, Italy, Germany, France and Scandinavia and include pieces from the well-known factories of Minton, Doulton, Wedgwood, Alessi, Rosenthal, Limoges, Arabia and Royal Copenhagen.

The gallery’s holdings of porcelain, stoneware and earthenware illustrate some of the major stylistic and technical developments that occurred in these mediums from the sixteenth century till today.

GLASS

The gallery’s glass collection spans all the major European glass producing traditions, with a particularly strong representation of Scandinavian glass that was at its high point during the early years of the gallery’s existence.

Recent donations and purchases have ensured the gallery’s collection does not remain a time capsule of 20th century glass but continues to be actively developed. Today it is recognised as one of Australia’s great collections of modern glass enhancing both the gallery’s and the Southern Grampians Shire’s reputations.